June 11, 2020
“Intelligence plus character... that is the goal of true education.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
B2 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
20 20
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Graduation
20 20
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B3
B4 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
20 20
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Graduation
20 20
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B5
Graduation
B6 Thursday, June 11, 2020
20 19
La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Join Assisteens to Help the Community Students in grades 7-12 are welcome to join Assisteens, an auxiliary of Assistance League of Flintridge (ALF). With funds they earn volunteering in the Bargain Box, ALF’s thrift shop, Assisteens purchase and donate essential items to various organizations benefiting homeless and impoverished families and youth as well as animal shelters. This year, Assisteens purchased 136 uniform jackets for the dog therapy volunteers at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Assisteens meet monthly from September through May, but plans for the coming year are still uncertain. For updates, visit alflintridge. org.
Assisteens assembling donations for a philanthropic organization, include (front row, from left) Ashly Lam, Caitlin Blencowe, Rajan Anand, Brian Chen and Clare Buchanan. Back: Shreya Anand, Alison Blencowe, Ryan Bender, Sameena Brar, Kaitlyn Beltz, Gabriel Teng, Zachary Evans and Elliott Christensen.
Spartan Boosters Club Makes Most of Abbreviated Year The La Cañada High School Spartan Boosters Club is proud to be making a difference at LCHS. In the 2019-20 school year, Boosters provided more than $225,000 to improve facilities and fund more than 60 programs, classes and teams for LCHS 7-12 students. In addition to raising funds for LCHS athletics, Boosters helps support extracurricular activities such as choral music, instrumental music, fine arts, pep squad, robotics and many more. This year, Boosters raised more than $23,000 to improve and restore the architectural centerpiece of the La Cañada High School campus, the Hotchkin Family Gymnasium (North Gym). The club purchased pop-up tents
for the 7/8 sports teams and for the high school cross-country team. Boosters also funded the Positive Coaching Alliance and awarded two college scholarships to worthy LCHS seniors. Despite the uncertain environment, the Booster Club is determined to continue its mission. The cancellation of spring sports and performances provided a stark reminder of how important these extracurricular activities are to our students. With budget cuts looming, Boosters will keep working to fill the funding gap and provide students with opportunities to compete, perform, cheer, create and lead. Boosters thanks its 250 member
families and sponsors, including the J.W. and Ida M. Jameson Foundation; platinum sponsors: USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and Huntington Hospital; gold sponsors: the Milbrodt Group, PSI, Thomas Atamian and Flintridge Family Chiropractic; silver sponsors: Cathy Steward Homes, La Cañada Eye Care and Glendale Area Schools Credit Union; raffle sponsors: the Milbrodt Group and Compass; bronze sponsors: Krost CPAs and Consultants, and Carrie Boreham Grochow of Dilbeck; restaurant night partners: Habit, Blaze, Panda, Honeybird and Jersey Mike’s. For more information, visit lchsboosters.org.
Candelora Academics Is Zooming Through Summer Candelora Academics congratulates its students and their teachers — and is especially proud of its 2020 graduates — who rose to the challenge of distance learning. But it wasn’t easy! Necessary adjustments to curriculums were made, and students did their best to achieve mastery and meet expectations. In anticipation of the coming academic year, and to prepare each student to progress confidently into the next level course, Candelora offers the following opportunities: • Review, reinforcement and preview of all math
coursework, including topics that were omitted or abbreviated during the semester. • Preview courses in both AP Biology and AP Calculus that will introduce students to the first few units of these challenging courses and enable them to develop strategies for the rigors of AP test questions. Our individualized test prep programs will be offered online through Zoom meetings. Laurie Candelora of Candelora Academics Inc. can be reached at (818) 790-1114 (office) or (818) 439-5040 (cell)
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. — Ralph Waldo Emerson
College Admissions in the Time of COVID-19 By Gloria Ventura
Stepping Stones to Learning As parents and students prepare for the college admission process this fall, they will encounter a landscape we have never encountered before, and systems filled with uncertainty. So much is changing. Standardized testing requirements have been suspended by the University of California but not by all universities; the Cal State system will institute remote learning in the fall, yet not all universities have determined their plan of action, and universities are examining the financial impact of COVID and determining which budgets to cut. Complex decisions being made daily will affect the class of 2021 in unexpected ways. As I reflect on my experiences working in university admissions (Stanford and USC) as well as in high school college counseling offices (Poly and Prep), I understand that these are going to be stressful times for students and families. These experiences have shaped the ways I approach the application process, forming the lens with which I view trends. While events are changing the decisions families will need to make, I am encouraged by the opportunities these times have presented students. The current climate is prompting families to look within. We have the opportunity to redefine success and re-examine day-to-day routines. My students are increasing their sleep, reading for pleasure, going outside and having dinner at home with their families. Students are becoming more creative in what they plan to pursue this summer. One student wants to learn a new language; another plans to create
Gloria Ventura a poetry blog, and another to organize virtual sessions with homeless youth. Universities can no longer expect students to take advantage of formal summer programs or service trips abroad, so this is the time to allow students to create, innovate and explore. We expect the technical aspects of the college application process to remain relatively consistent. Standardized testing will resume in the fall, application deadlines will likely go unchanged and essays will need to be written. But what can be different are the stories our students tell. Encourage your child to observe their world and the ways in which it is changing. Ask your children their opinions, observations and perspectives. These conversations will inspire and shape the way they tell their story. I welcome you to visit steppingstones.net and sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on the college admission climate, and please reach out to me at gventura@steppingstones.net for help supporting your teen on the road to a campus where they will thrive.
Graduation
La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
20 19
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B7
Flintridge Sacred Heart Shines ASB Board President: Georgia Kisob, ‘20 Vice President: Olivia Spina, ‘20 Comm. of Boarding/ASB Rep: Jiayi Jenny Wang, ‘20 Campus Minister: Janna De Vera, ‘20 Secretary: Jocelle Lauron, ‘20 Treasurer: Kristen Asmar, ‘20 Comm. of Activities: Greta Coontz, ‘20 Katrina Manaloto Valedictorian
Kristen Asmar Salutatorian
Associated Student Body board members
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Class of 2020 includes (in alphabetical order) Caitlyn Adams, Sofia Algorri, Emily Amirian, Nicole Ariki, Kristen Asmar, Catherine Bauer, Lindsey Beck, Lauren Bolte, Brianna Bronson, Caroline Chase, Yanjie Chen, Zunyi Chen, Francesca Christensen, Emma Condit, Margaret Coontz, Natalia Cruz, Emily Cupo, Leni Dai, Cerys Davies, Janna De Vera, Riley DeJardin, Ferryn Drake, Alexandra Ehrhart, Natalie Felikian, Isabella Gandarilla, Xinning Gao, Emily Giesler, Dominique Godinez, Samantha Godinez, Emily Gomez, Yuqi Gong, Qi Guan, Sarah Hanks, Madeleine Hara, Kysa Hayashi, Manami Hayashi, Chase Hayes, Kiara Hosseinion, Hillary Howard, Christine Huston, Natalie Isaghulian, Grace Italia, Elisa Jimenez, Jaden Jones, Margaret Kalaw, Carmen Kelley, Darcy Kelley, Georgia Kisob, Ann Krappman, Liliana Labellarte, Jocelle Marie Lauron, Brianna Layseca, Abigail Lewis, Eleanor Li, Aili Lin, Aiqi Long, Lea Lopez, Izabel Mah y Busch, Katrina Manaloto, Celine Moradi, Shiyi Mu, Elle Nawrocki, Lauren Nettels, Nicole Noriega, Francesca Norton, Emilie Nunn, Olivia Partamian, Sarah Peck, Christina Perasso, Olivia Pieterse, Madeline Placido, Liza Pyle, Hailey Ramos, Lia Ramos, Brynne Richardson, Emilie Risha, Olivia Roginson, Elizabeth Rosenberger, Claire Schmidt, Hannah Sobota, Olivia Spina, Camryn Steele, Catherine Sullivan, Meghan Sullivan, Kaitlyn Thomas, Quinlan Van de Voorde, Jiayi Wang, Jenna Webster, Lilian Welwood, Madeline Williams, Meihan Wu, Yu Wu, Jiayue Xia, Huanqi Yang, Julia Yellen, Qing Yu, Yajun Yuan, Zoe Zarifes, Ziyan Zhang, Catherine Ziegler and Alexandra Zuch
B8 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
Congratulations to all the 2020 Graduates! May your future path bring you great Joy & Happiness We would be honored to take care of your eye needs Scott W. Beeve, M.D. FACS Beeve vision Care Center 1809 verdugo Blvd. #150
(across from USC Verdugo Hills Hospital)
818-790-8001
20 20
La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Superintendent Congratulates Seniors and Looks to the Future joining the Zoom! At the breakfast we honored the La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation’s Rose Harrington Teachers of the Year Mrs. Kathryn Wullschlager (PCY) Last week was a monumental one — and Mr. Brandon Carroll (LCHS); the La we finished the school year via distance Cañada Teachers’ Association/LCUSD learning, promoted our 6th- and 8th-grade Teacher of the Year Mrs. Jenny Franz (LCE); classes with virtual celebrations, and con- and the California School Employees’ Association/LCUSD Classigratulated our LCHS senior fied Member of the Year Mrs. class of 2020 with a vehicle Corinna Ritter (LCHS). Please parade and a video tribute on join me in recognizing and the evening of what would congratulating all of these outhave been their stadium gradstanding educators. uation. And now the work of preAlthough the realities of paring for the opening of the COVID-19 and Safer at Home 2020-21 school year begins altered our traditions, our in earnest. Over the past sevcommunity came together to eral weeks, we have been enensure that the achievements gaged in extensive research and milestones accomplished on the challenges and best by our students were recogpractices related to reopening nized and marked as signifiWendy Sinnette our physical school sites. Adcant. I am so proud of all of our ditionally, we have completed students and grateful to our amazing teachers, support staff, parents, initial surveys of families, teachers and staff and community members who rallied to regarding their readiness and concerns reensure that learning continued, course and lated to returning to campuses, and on June grade level completion progressed on track, 8, the California Department of Education and students consistently experienced the issued its “Stronger Together: A Guidebook love and support of their community — for the Safe Reopening of California’s Public Schools.” LCUSD now has in place all of even in these unprecedented times. On Thursday, June 4, LCUSD held its an- the essential components by which to denual End of the Year Breakfast where our sign a data-driven plan expressly tailored entire staff comes together to celebrate the to meet the needs and interests of our local completion of the school year. This year our community. The district will communicate breakfast was held virtually and staff resilSee SINNETTE, page 18 ience shone through with over 200 people
By Wendy Sinnette Special to Outlook Valley Sun
Principal Cartnal’s Message to School Community siblings and families, to do their best in the face of the myriad challenges presented by safer at home orders and the realities of living through a pandemic. Our graduates School closure affects all members of the pressed forward by participating in the reschool community — students, staff and imagined celebrations that mark the end of parents. The disruption to established rou- high school, the car parade and our celebratines continued to be felt across the nearly tion video being the highlights of our efforts 12 weeks of physical school to celebrate this special class. closure at La Cañada High We still hope for the chance School, canceling the hope to honor them in person with of participation in both facea stadium graduation cereto-face learning and all the mony, when large group gathextra-curricular and social erings are allowed to return facets of school. later in the year. For members of the class of Now as high school has 2020, the realities of physical come to a close, new chalschool closure stopped particlenges are present and our ipation in the final season of students are leaning in. They spring sports, final concerts of are taking to online forums, high school performance caphysical demonstrations and reers, and required all the vital thinking deeply about how to parts of students’ social lives change a world, where examto be negotiated at distance, ples of injustice, violations of Jim Cartnal remotely, in their attempt to liberty and the appearance of continue to be part of a coma nation divided are too fremunity in absence. Clearly the closing of the quently seen. Students are seeking ways to last semester of high school did not unfold leverage their voice and the advantages of as the members of the class of 2020 hoped being raised in La Cañada Flintridge to fight for or could have imagined. Yet in spite of against racism, intolerance and bigotry that the many challenges faced by our gradu- have gripped communities across the naating seniors, I saw abundant signs of hope, tion. They are using their educated minds, resilience and a tenacity of spirit. In addi- their generous hearts and their mettle to tion to making our community and state envision systemic changes to institutions, stronger by doing their part to help flatten politics and the economy to affirm the mesthe curve of the spread of COVID-19, I saw sages of equity, diversity and inclusion. On students quickly pivot to distance learning behalf of the LCHS faculty, staff and stuand telepresence for classes, conferencing, dent body, we congratulate the class of 2020 coaching, counseling and supporting one and wish them well in their ongoing journey another. of personal growth and societal betterment. Our seniors helped at home, with their Go, Spartans!
By Jim Cartnal Special to Outlook Valley Sun
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Graduation
20 20
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B9
B10 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
20 20
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Graduation
20 20
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B11
B12 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
20 20
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Graduation
20 20
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B13
B14 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
20 20
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Graduation
20 20
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B15
B16 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
20 20
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Graduation
20 20
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B17
Class 2020 of
JESSICA JEWELL L A CAÑADA HIGH SCHOOL
Follow your dreams, dear Jessica, no matter how far, Share your sparkle, wherever you are. We are so very proud of you!
Grammy & Grandpa Congratulations with love,
B18 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
20 19
La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Westridge Class of 2020, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Instead of sitting on the traditional risers on Westridge School’s Frank Field for commencement, this year’s class of 63 graduates drove across that same field for a safe commencement celebration welcoming them to the ranks of Westridge alumnae. The celebratory car procession was preceded by an online ceremony, which featured remarks from salutatorian N’Dea Piliavin-Godwin (Princeton ’24), valedictorian Leah Soldner (Caltech ’24) and commencement speaker Krista Kokjohn Poehler ’93, assistant dean at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego. After describing the diverse interests and talents of the class, Piliavin-
Godwin said, “Most of all, this is a class of beautiful people who support each other, who are unafraid to voice their opinions and fight for what they believe in. People who seek knowledge, recognize justice and actively choose to be champions of social justice. People who are the exemplification of why I remain unswerving in my hope for the future.” Soldner concluded her remarks thanking the teachers, parents, coaches and classmates for “helping [the class] to develop as thinkers and listeners, for teaching us the importance of caring about and learning from the world around us and, of course, for introducing us to Oscar Wilde.” In welcoming students, Head of
School Elizabeth J. McGregor spoke about the arc of world events that has unfolded over the course of the graduates’ lifetimes, noting that many of the class were born in the fall of 2001 and addressing the current nationwide protests calling for an end to racism and racial injustice as well as the pandemic that upended the students’ final months of high school. “Are these times completely unprecedented? Our history includes significant periods of tumult that led to growth and meaningful, lasting change,” said McGregor. “Women have demonstrated that they can lead at times like these. They have shown us that that they can be in charge of their own destiny and of those around them.” “This is where you come in! This is where you take your best bold selves, your resilience, compassion, leadership skills and sense of equity and justice that have been nurtured while you’ve been at Westridge, and unleash them near and far, at home and across the globe, restoring hope and possibility and guaranteeing a brighter future. Make it known that a Westridge graduate inspires others and leads a life of impact!”
SINNETTE
contd. from page 8 frequently with its stakeholders over the summer as the plan develops and changes, and Reopening Committees at both the elementary and secondary levels are being formed so that our plans are fully transparent and vetted by the LCUSD community. Finally, it is important to share that our planning for the future also encompasses our responsibility as a district to respond to the national and local outrage we have witnessed over the killing of Mr. George Floyd and others, like Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. Across the nation, we have seen anger, fear, frustration and hurt re-
place the lonely isolation of self-quarantine. As an educator, my first response to this crisis regards our students, LCUSD’s children. It is imperative that we, the adults in their lives, help them to understand the civic responsibilities that we all share to peacefully take action to stop injustices, counter inequalities, and stand against racism and hate. It is equally critical for us to clearly articulate an LCUSD action plan, which will help contribute to the systemic change our society requires, changes that must be defined by the guiding principles of equity, empathy, diversity, peace and justice. LCUSD is committed to this responsibility and prepared to embrace this challenge now and in our active planning for the upcoming school year and beyond.
La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Graduation
20 19
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B19
Glendale Unified Salutes Its Class of 2020
Vivian Ekchian, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Maranatha Celebrates 2020 Graduates at Virtual Commencement On the evening of Saturday, May 30, the administration, faculty, staff and Board of Trustees of Maranatha High School celebrated the class of 2020 during their firstever virtual Commencement Ceremony. This year’s commencement celebration was not a typical ceremony, but then again this has not been a typical spring semester for Maranatha High School because of social distancing measures due to COVID-19. While Maranatha had to cancel its traditional in-person Commencement Ceremony, the school was still thrilled to be honoring its 131 graduates online, marking the completion of the graduates’ four-year college preparatory education. Maranatha’s graduates will be attending a wide variety of excellent colleges and universities, including the University of Southern California, Whitworth University, Loyola Marymount University, Biola University, Azusa Pacific University, UCLA, Baylor University, George Washington University, Fordham University, New York University, Northern Arizona University, Occidental College, Berklee College of Music and many others. Maranatha High School equips students to demonstrate academic excellence, be effective communicators, and be young men and women who are able to model their faith through service for Christ. Ma-
ranatha offers 40 advanced placement and honors courses, and a state of the art Technology Integration Learning Environment (TILE) Lab, which features robotics, 3D printing, VR creation, laser cutting, a Mac design center and PC coding. Maranatha has continually proven to be exceptional in the performing and visual arts as well as competitive in athletics, with CIF and state-level wins. There are many additional opportunities for student involvement, including a wide variety of clubs and service opportunities both locally and globally. As one of the only nondenominational Christian schools in the San Gabriel Valley, Maranatha has a long-standing reputation for providing an excellent college preparatory education in a Christ-centered context. Maranatha is a unique and vibrant community that integrates faith in every aspect of living, learning and serving. This in turn leads to genuine student transformation in both spiritual maturity and growth. Student/teacher supportive relationships are key to the strength of Maranatha’s school community, with students often noting how grateful they are for the mentorship and assistance the staff offers on a daily basis. The community of Maranatha High School congratulates the class of 2020 on all of its accomplishments!
Spanish • Chemistry • SAT Congratulations to the extraordinary and talented Class of 2020
“Go forth boldly in the direction of your dreams.” Laurie Candelora
Candelora Academics, Inc.
Office: 818-790-1114 Cell: 818-439-5040 Email: cantutor@att.net
Personalized academic services ElEmEntary • HigH ScHool • collEgE
PreCalculus • Biology • APStatistics
Geometry • APHistory • Physics • PSAT
demics, athletics, the arts, and Career and Technical Education programs, including environmental engineering, robotics, culinary arts, public safety, automotive and construction skills, health, science and engineering. Without a doubt, we are living in one of the most exciting, promising, and challenging times in human history. The 21st century world is more globally connected, technology-driven, and complex than any previous era. I have every confidence that our amazing graduating seniors will go on to excel in a global economy, affect positive change, and create a brighter future for generations to come. Congratulations graduates, we are incredibly proud of you!
English • Calculus • ACT • Algebra • French
Our Glendale Unified community is extremely proud of the achievements and resilience of our amazing students, particularly our graduating seniors. The class of 2020 has demonstrated its exceptional ability to excel academically and shine brilliantly. All four Glendale Unified comprehensive high schools rank in the top 16% of high schools nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, and among the top STEM high schools in the nation according to Newsweek. Both Clark Magnet and Crescenta Valley High School were recently recognized as California Distinguished Schools, each earning additional “Exemplary Program Awards” from the California Department of Education. This year, Clark Magnet was selected as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School for its innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and ensure effective sustainability education. Our students have received top honors and been nationally recognized for aca-
B20 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
20 20
La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
StellasPizzaKitchen.com A family-run New York style pizzeria serving traditional Italian favorites with the freshest ingredients possible. With love... just like Mama did.
456 Foothill Blvd., Unit-D, La Cañada Flintridge
(818) 928-1333 FREE DELIVERY (WITHIN 5 MILE RADIUS)
CaTERIng aVaILabLE On-SITE SERVICE, DROP OFF OR PICK-UP
HOURS: Sunday - Thursday: 10:30am - 9:00pm Friday-Saturday: 10:30am - 10:00pm
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Graduation
20 20
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B21
B22 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
20 20
La Cañada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
A Graduation Year Like No Other at PCC Commencement at Pasadena City College is always a time to make memories, but there’s no doubt that the spring of 2020 will stand indelibly in our minds for years to come. When coronavirus came in March, PCC moved its operations online in a whirlwind of a week. Over time, the confusion about coursework and fears about health began to subside, and as we settled in for the long haul, we did the best we could to adapt to the “new normal.” Through it all, our students, faculty, and staff demonstrated resourcefulness and adaptability that showed just how resilient we can be. Then came outrage, despair, protests and upheaval that sent shockwaves through our community again. They have laid bare the pernicious inequality in our systems of government, justice and yes, education. Now we are asked to adapt for our students, faculty and staff. We are learning to listen completely, and we stand in allegiance with our black brothers and sisters, committed to change that is long overdue. Some days it is difficult to find hope, but this commencement we are inspired to think of a brighter future. Our graduates embody the possibility of days yet to come. We celebrate them this month. For more information, visit pasadena.edu.
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun
Graduation
20 20
Thursday, June 11, 2020 B23
B24 Thursday, June 11, 2020
Graduation
20 20
La CaĂąada Flintridge Outlook Valley Sun